Fired for bad leadership - board of nursing investigating

Published

I was fired from being a director of nursing at a Long-Term Care facility in a remote, isolated area in Maine. The reason was, as was reported to the Board of Nursing, "not clinical." It was all about my leadership. But the administrator said that she was only going to report to the board of nursing that it wasn't clinical...only leadership. However, she reported to the board all sorts of stuff that are exaggerations, half-truths and some outright lies. Besides the betrayal, which is hard enough to deal with (I'm a big boy, I'm so over and above the catty nature, and awful treatment), I now have to answer to the board of nursing, as the board of nursing took the termination letter and called it a complaint. Unprofessional conduct, or, "a violation of this chapter." I need some help in putting together a response to the board in writing. I am not looking for a lawyer - I simply can't afford it. At this point, I am looking for some pointers of how to seal with the Maine State Board of Nursing in responses. Is there anyone who can help me?

By the way, I think that Long-Term Care is broken. Too much is expected from too few people, with too many people who are just simply, jerks. It is a rare gem to find a supportive facility, with real people who treat people as people - not objects.

Please don't tell me that I should have . I've now learned that lesson...as I am aware that it would have reimbursed for license defense. But that didn't happen. I am now insured...but I w

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Unfortunately, the Terms of Service (TOS) prohibit members from providing legal assistance or advice (helping with your response to the board), but you might try the "Ask a Nurse Attorney" forum to see if she has any ideas for you: https://allnurses.com/legal-advice-column/. She cannot provide specific legal advice, as I understand it, but she might have some resources for you to look into. Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know you say you can't afford a lawyer but at least find a few and talk to them. They might have a payment plan. They might give you some clues as how to proceed even if you don't hire them. It doesn't hurt to call around and ask. It could take many months or even a year or longer for the BON to schedule a hearing with you, so you might have more time than you think.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Travel, Home Health, Med-Surg.

Sorry you are going thru this!! How do you know what was reported to the BON? Did your (former) employer give you a copy? Have you already heard from the BON? I know you said you cannot afford a lawyer but I would try to scrape up enough money to at least have a consultation on how to proceed. Gather all the (actual) facts that you can first and go from there. Maybe you can find a lawyer that can help you at least write your response. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Unless you intend to let your lic. go, you can not, not afford a lawyer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wait... so in addition to being reported to the BON for poor nursing practice, I also have to worry about being reported for poor leadership?

Does even cover that?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The board of nursing sent me a, "Notice of complaint or provider report." They sent me a copy of the notification that my employer sent to the board of nursing that I was fired. My employer informed me that they have to report all nurse terminations to the board of nursing - even if there isn't a complaint to make to the board of nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Wait... so in addition to being reported to the BON for poor nursing practice, I also have to worry about being reported for poor leadership?

Does malpractice insurance even cover that?

Yes, you do. Yes, insurance covers that, too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

For petes sake...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Primary Care, Military.
The board of nursing sent me a, "Notice of complaint or provider report." They sent me a copy of the notification that my employer sent to the board of nursing that I was fired. My employer informed me that they have to report all nurse terminations to the board of nursing - even if there isn't a complaint to make to the board of nursing.

What the holy Hades? ALL terminations? So if they fire you for absences or some other completely unrelated to clinical work reason, you're going to be reported and have to defend your license? Is this just a Maine thing? If so, I'm staying far away. That's ridiculous. My state can fire for no reason at all.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know in my state of IL the nurse practice act requires the NURSE to report themself I'd fired... but no one does this. However, if something comes up later in the form of a complaint to the BON they will ding your license for not reporting being fired.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

WTH.

Never been fired but...wow.

Guess I won't worry about it though, since if I ever have to deal with them it will be my last day as a nurse. This profession is soooo not "all that." I'd mail them my license. I can't imagine how the common person puts up with being treated this way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion